Category Archives: Reviews

reviews of opera, shows, concerts and film….

For whom the Bell tolls…..

Posted on 11/11/2012 by

Mondavi Centre for the Performing Arts UC Davis California Joshua Bell – violin and Sam Haywood – piano Schubert: Rondo for Violin and Piano in B Minor, Op. 70 Franck: Sonata in A Major Prokofiev: Sonata for Violin and Piano … Continue reading →

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Wigmore Hall: Ability & Disability

Posted on 11/09/2012 by

Helena Juntunen (soprano) &  Eveliina Kytömäki (piano) Schumann, Strauss, Thomas Adès and Sibelius Last night’s recital was memorable for two reasons. There were some haunting and beautiful songs – some beautifully sung by Helena Juntunen and geogously accompanied on the piano … Continue reading →

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Sunday 22/07/12 Buxton Pavilion Arts Centre

Posted on 16/08/2012 by

The Rape of Lucrece Williamm Shakespeare 1594 Dedicated to Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, who features in the quartet of novels I’ve written, with these words: The love I dedicate to your lordship is without end; whereof this pamphlet, without … Continue reading →

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The Lady of Shalott Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Posted on 02/08/2012 by

The Lady of Shalott PART I On either side the river lie Long fields of barley and of rye, That clothe the wold and meet the sky; And thro’ the field the road runs by To many-tower’d Camelot; And up … Continue reading →

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Buxton Festival: Richard Strauss waltzes off with the prize….best in festival

Posted on 31/07/2012 by

Richard Strauss:  Intermezzo   Christine Storch Janis Kelly Robert Storch Stephen Gadd Baron Lummer Andrew Kennedy Notary Jonathan Best Kammersinger Njabulo Madlala Commercial Counsellor Jeremy Huw Williams Stroh Richard Roberts Legal Counsellor Colin Brockie AnnaSusanne Holmes Notary’s wifeMartha McLorinan Conductor Stephen Barlow DirectorStephen Unwin … Continue reading →

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Buxton Festival – A marriage made in heaven?

Posted on 31/07/2012 by

The Marriage of Figaro – Marcus Portugal   Figaro Nicholas Merryweather  Susanna Emily Rowley Jones  Marcellina Cara Curran Dr Bartolo Mark Saberton  Cherubino Joana Seara Don Basilio Robert Winslade Anderson Rosina, Countess Almaviva Lisa Wilson  Count Almaviva John-Colyn Gyeantey Antonio … Continue reading →

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Buxton Opera Festival: Vivaldi L’Olimpiade – not a medal winner for Team Buxton

Posted on 31/07/2012 by

Antonio Vivaldi: L’Olimpiade   Clistene Stephen Gadd  Aristea Rachael Lloyd  Argene Sally Bruce-Payne Megacle Louise Poole  Licida Marie Elliott  Aminta Mhairi Lawson Alcandro Jonathan Gunthorpe  Director Richard Williams  Costume designer Olivia Wells Musical directors Adrian Chandler & James Johnstone   … Continue reading →

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Buxton: Double Bill doesn’t double the pleasure or double the fun

Posted on 22/07/2012 by

Buxton Opera House:  Double Bill –  17th July   The Maiden in the Tower (Sibelius) & Kashchei the Immortal, Buxton Festival (Rimsky-Korsakov) Double bills present problems. Even Puccini’s relative success with Il Trittico hasn’t encouraged other composers into the genre. … Continue reading →

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Buxton Opera Festival: Turn of the Screw 16th July 2012

Posted on 20/07/2012 by

Benjamin Britten: The Turn of the Screw Governess: Fiona Murphy  Peter Quint: Andrew Tortise  Miss Jessel :Giselle Allen Mrs Grose: Yvonne Howard  Flora: Lucia Vernon  Miles: Thomas Copeland Conductor: Nicholas Chalmers Director: Oliver Mears Designer: Annemarie Woods Lighting designer : … Continue reading →

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The Gershwins’ ® Porgy And Bess, Colosseum 11th July 2012

Posted on 12/07/2012 by

Porgy & Bess George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward and Ira Gershwin London Stage Premiere of Cape Town Opera’s production Performed by Cape Town Opera Presented by Askonas Holt and Raymond Gubbay Porgy: Xolel Sixaba Bess: Tsakane Velentine Masawangayi Crown: … Continue reading →

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